Guillermo Barros Schelotto has been named the new head coach of US side LA Galaxy.
The five-time MLS champion franchise announced the move on Wednesday.
Barros Schelotto, 45, heads to Major League Soccer after leading Boca to the Copa Libertadores final last month, where they were beaten by arch-rivals River Plate.
“I am honored to be the head coach for the most decorated club in Major League Soccer,” said Barros Schelotto. “This is a tremendous opportunity for me and I am excited to get to work. The LA Galaxy have long been the standard in MLS and I am ready to push the club to new heights.”
Barros Schelotto was the head coach of Boca Juniors since March 2016 until last month, winning two Primera División championship titles. He had also won the Copa Sudamericana during three seasons with Lanús.
He previously played for the Xeneize for a decade, before spending four seasons with MLS side Columbus Crew from 2007-2010, scoring 38 goals and earning the league MVP award in 2008.
Barros Schelotto replaces Dominic Kinnear, who finished out last season as the Galaxy's interim coach in place of Sigi Schmid. The Galaxy missed out on the MLS play-offs for the second consecutive year despite a stellar debut season by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Schelotto joins new general manager Dennis te Kloese in a thorough revamping of the Galaxy's leadership.
“After a comprehensive search, domestically and internationally, we believe Guillermo will be a landmark signing for this club,” said te Kloese in a statement to the press. “Guillermo is a proven winner who has experience coaching, playing and winning for big clubs. It is our hope that Guillermo’s managing style and familiarity with MLS will bring trophies and championships to LA Galaxy fans and the city of Los Angeles.”
Barros Schelotto had been linked to a move to MLS in reports last week.
He had also been mentioned as a possible successor to fellow Argentine Gerardo "Tata" Martino, who stepped down as head coach of Atlanta United after clinching the MLS Cup last month.
- TIMES/AP/AFP
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